Encapsulation of olive leaf (Olea europaea) extract using solution-enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluids (SEDS) technique

Abstract

Olive leaves are considered a byproduct or agroindustry waste, although they contain several bioactive compounds. The objective of this work was to encapsulate olive leaf extract in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) PHBV using the SEDS technique using supercritical CO₂ as an antisolvent. The materials were characterized by DSC, SEM, and FTIR, and the stability (antioxidant activity, total phenolic, and total flavonoid) was monitored over time. The highest encapsulation efficiency (EE) was 86.0%. The mean particle size changed from 0.30 to 0.71 µm depending on the experimental condition. The generated particles remained stable about the residual contents of total phenolic and flavonoids in the encapsulated extract, with values greater than 70% on the 210th day. SEDS proved to be an efficient and reliable technique for the encapsulation of active olive leaf compounds in PHBV.